Fall migrants- Sat., Sept.12th

Cloudy and cool, upper 60s. Ran into three foraging mixed flocks during the day; chickadees were the main component, but you could hear other 'chip' sounds mixed in. We just stood still and tried to focus on one bird at a time. At the height of the passage, it was difficult to know which bird to go to next, they move so quickly in random directions. All the warblers, the kinglet, and the vireo were in these mixed groups. Best birds were seen on the service road behind the research ponds, and on the boardwalk next to the Beaver Pond. Adult Bald Eagle, circling at medium height, seen from the Heron Pond.

Location: Five Rivers
Observation date: 9/12/09
Time of day: 9:00am- 2:00pm
Number of species: 41
Wood Duck 1
American Black Duck 2
Mallard 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Bald Eagle 1
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Mourning Dove 3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 3
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Philadelphia Vireo 1
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 16
Black-capped Chickadee 12
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 1
Gray Catbird 8
Northern Mockingbird 4
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 40
Cedar Waxwing 20
Magnolia Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 3
Black-and-white Warbler 2
American Redstart 1
Common Yellowthroat 2
Field Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Red-winged Blackbird 5
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 6

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/ny)

Week in the Adirondacks- Part Five

Our destination on our last morning up north was the bog on Sabattis Circle Rd. We arrived at 8:30AM and began to slowly walk up and down the road, checking out each chip sound and bird movement; there was a lot of activity to try to identify. The bog is on the west/ northwest side of the road; the habitat is very boreal, with some deciduous trees mixed in right along the roadside (picture).

We tried to make a Boreal Chickadee out of a Black-capped; the song was right, but as easy as they were to see, there were no unmistakable field marks for verification. We'll leave the region without this bird, but I know they were there, several times; next year!

A Song Sparrow moved apace with us, and several White-throated Sparrows vocalized much of the morning. Hermit Thrush called, Cedar Waxwing flew over, and RB Nuthatch "yenked" here and there. Overall, though, it was pretty quiet, especially warbler-related. A disappointing end to.....

Bam. Just like that, a wave of birds started crossing the road from west to east. A bunch of Yellow-rumped warblers, an adult male and many juvies, swarmed through the trees. Common Yellowthroat were at the edge of the bog. A flame-throated Blackburnian male was heard, then seen (I had to chase him about a quarter-mile for a positive ID; finally got him to pop his head up just as I was turning back.)

Back at the bog (picture), we kept hearing a very high-pitched five note call; Cape May Warbler, no doubt about it, but I needed to see it. Voila! Up in the spruce trees, a beautiful Cape May, allowing a brief full glimpse. A Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was singing out in the bog, and a Magnolia Warbler flitted about at eye level on the east side of the road. All this in half an hour. Now that's a good ending.

Boreal birds were harder to come by than we expected, but overall it was a great experience, and I can't recommend it highly enough. Just when you are experiencing the post-spring migration blues, an Adirondack trip is just the right cure.

Week in the Adirondacks- Part Four

Bloomingdale Bog (picture) is located just to the north of Saranac Lake, NY. The entrance to the trail (picture), which is an old rail bed, is located on County Rt. 55 west of the hamlet of Bloomingdale. As a location for birding, it is outstanding for it's varied habitat; the wide, dry, flat trail (picture); and the overall scenery encountered. The railroad bed continues to the north to Bigelow Rd. and beyond, and this is also a good area, especially for boreal species.

We arrived at 9:00AM, strapped on the gear, and set out in partial sunshine. There is a power line cut (picture) a short ways in, and we scanned in both directions for birds using the poles/wires as a perch, without luck. We did see two Mourning Doves, which I would not mention other than the fact that these were the only two seen or heard the entire week. On the same subject, we did not see a single cardinal the entire time, either.

The birding picked up pace rapidly thereafter. Two Pileated Woodpeckers doing a flyby got things going, with American Crows squawking in the distance, and Hermit Thrushes singing periodically. As we continued southward, we came to an area that had an extreme amount of bird activity, with most of it centered on a single tamarack (larch). Chickadees (no, not boreal) and R.B. Nuthatches were darting all around, and we counted five Yellow-rumped Warblers (one adult, four juveniles) in the mix as well. Don't know what about that particular tree was enticing, but they sure loved it. A short walk further down the path, what we expected would be a somewaht routine Yellow Warbler sighting turned out to be a Palm Warbler with his rusty headgear.

At a quiet, more wooded spot just before the bog opens up to a very wide, distant viewing area (picture), we scared up a predator bird. He glided from his perch low to our right, slowly disappearing from our view. Gray on top, white under the rump, somewhat pointed wings, and accipiter-type overall impression- a Northern Goshawk.

At the open bog, there are low bushes and small saplings along the edge of the railbed, and to a lesser extent scattered into the water. Here we saw and heard Yellow-bellied and Alder Flycatcher, Cedar Waxwing, Nashville Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and White-throated, Song and Swamp Sparrows. On the way back to the vehicle we heard the distinct chattering sounds of a Gray Jay, but it stayed it's distance from us.

Bloomingdale Bog is a great place to be, and I suspect I will return here at least annually. On the way back to Long Lake, we stopped at Paul Smiths VIC (Black-throated Blue and Green Warblers, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet), and the Tupper Lake marsh, where we saw 3 Great Blue Heron, 10 Canada Geese, Red-winged Blackbird, Tree Swallow, and a Broad-winged Hawk. A long satisfying day of birding. The next day would be the last of our trip, and I figured we'd give the bog on Sabattis Circle Rd. one more shot.

Week in the Adirondacks- Part Three

The Moose River Plains is a vast, remote wilderness area south of Raquette Lake and west of Indian Lake. You can access the Moose River Rd., a packed dirt logging road with exposed rocks (drive carefully), at either end. We entered from the west, at the gate near Limekiln State Park. Our first stop was the small bridge over the Red River. There was a tremendous amount of bird activity around us, but the only visuals we could get, even in this low, scrubby, open area were numerous White-throated Sparrows, a female Redstart, some distant Crows, and some fearless chickadees. On the way out, we did have a flycatcher sitting on the bridge railing, but he pleaded the fifth admendment and would not identify himself.

The trail to Icehouse Pond was overgrown with vegetation, and we decided to backtrack a bit before we got to the pond itself, doing some stationary observing in a spot without much in the way of taller trees. Other than a pair of Northern Flickers on top of a distant dead snag, it was very quiet, and we decide to move on. After reading quite a lot about the area, this was quite a disappointment, and I was beginning to wonder if we had wasted a day in an unproductive location.

Helldiver Pond offered hope, for as soon as we got out of the vehicle, there was a singing Nashville Warbler in the roadside edge. Red-breasted Nuthatch were abundant, along with chickadees (Black-capped only, sigh). A couple of Hermit Thrushes were make their fluting call. There were plenty of small songbirds moving around, tantalizingly just out of view. As we were about to give up, a very cooperative Canada Warbler flew down to eye-level, posed as he slowly moved even closer one branch at a time, and appeared to be just as curious about us as vice-versa. We had a good minute-long, unobstructed view of this guy. Thanks, pal. I needed that.

On the way back from the pond's edge, through the tall, dense forest (picture), we were stunned by the sound of an approaching vehicle. You are in such a desolate area, with nothing but natural sounds, that seeing/hearing anything man-made becomes odd. The SUV (family of four) pulled up to us, and the driver asked if we had gotten pictures of the moose. "Moose?", I said, as if this were akin to seeing a donkey on the moon. "Yeah, the guys here a little while ago got lots of pictures." Simultaneously, we all looked down at the large unmistakable tracks on the path that we had been walking for the better part of an hour. Oops. "Yeah, I saw the tracks out on the road this morning, and they led right down to here."

Anticipating your next question, YES, I did have a camera. Thisclose to a moose.

Our final destination was the Lost Ponds, where instead of driving up the side spur road, I decided we should walk it instead. Other than coming across a wide open clearing off to the side of the road, which we explored for a little while, there was not much happening, as it was nearly noon by now. We returned to the vehicle and headed back to base, and I had a melancholy feeling that we had been just this far from a great day, without quite being in sync with the environment. The birds will reveal themselves to you. Or not. Sometimes, you just miss. But not if you go to Bloomingdale Bog. Next.

Week in the Adirondacks- Part Two

On Tuesday the 14th, we visited the Visitor Interperative Center in Newcomb, Essex County; the following day, we explored it's slightly older sister facility at Paul Smiths, up in Franklin County. Both locations offer well-maintained trails, interesting wildlife and ecosystem exhibits, and a wealth of printed information, as well as computers set up to aid with field identification of birds. Paul Smiths is larger and offers more opportunities for birders, but Newcomb should not be passed over if only for it's impressive old growth forest areas. There are some big trees (picture) in those woods (picture)!

We chose the Sage Trail at Newcomb, as it traverses all the different habitats of the area. Two other trails wind along Rich Lake and probably have some good views. As we walked down towards the water, we heard Hermit Thrush and Red-eyed Vireo. In a dense area of mixed forest, we ran into a large flock of assorted chickadees, nuthatches and warblers foraging in the upper branches. The only good view of a warbler was a flame-throated Blackburnian. Where a bridge crosses the narrows (picture) between the two ends of the lake we were greeted by a pair of rattling Belted Kingfishers.

The rest of the hike was uneventful, other than a Red Squirrel (picture) who was unhappy that I had walked through his neighborhood and told me so in no uncertain terms. We also saw a Brown Creeper climbing up a trunk, which was a first for my wife.

Wednesday the 15th we ventured up north to the Paul Smiths VIC. The parking area is large and open, and yes, it has a lot of birds. I'm seriously considering writing a book called "Parking-lot Birding." There were Black-throated Blue, and Green, Warblers about the lot, and I thought I was hearing a Pine Warbler as well, but couldn't confirm it visually. We chose to tackle the Boreal Life Trail, which starts out in heavy, wet woods (picture) and winds it's way out to Barnum Pond (picture). Hermit Thrush were calling, and there were numerous Red-breasted Nuthatches along the path.

The highlight of this trail is the 1600 foot boardwalk (picture) through a boreal bog. There are even benches at a couple of spots, and you really could spend many hours just walking up and down observing. A Red-tailed Hawk did a flyover, as did two Great Blue Herons. The highlights were two Nashville Warblers moving through the bog, and a Yellow-rumped Warbler working over a tamarack. This is an excellent spot to watch birds, and you really feel out in the middle of nowhere; even the bog plants (picture) are unusual.

This was the one day with nice weather, so we reluctantly left before noon so we could enjoy some kayaking and fishing on Long Lake. We needed to rest up, too, for our Thursday trip to the wilderness, the Moose River Plains. More on that to follow.

Week in the Adirondacks- Part One

We spent a week in the mountains, with Long Lake as home base, birding various habitats and hiking conditions. The weather was very cool, with showers and thunderstorms almost every day, but the mornings were dry with some sunshine. I don't believe the temperature ever got above 74 degrees, with one night dipping to the low 40s. Blackflies were gone, replaced by flies and lots of mosquitos, but we've found a very effective repellent, so it was really a non-issue.

We arrived on Saturday the 11th, and on the trip north made a westward detour towards Moose River Plains Recreational Area, getting as far as the trailhead to Wakely Mountain before turning around. At Wakely Pond, on the north side of Moose River Rd., we saw a Common Loon diving out on the pond. A Ruby-throated Hummingbird was atop the thicket across the road, along with an American Redstart. The bugs were at their worst here, so we beat a hasty retreat to the rental vehicle and headed to the cottage.

On Sunday the 12th, the William C. Whitney Wilderness Area northwest of Long Lake was the destination. At our first stop, Little Tupper Lake, the parking area and adjacent access road were really hopping. It was tough to stay on any one bird for an identification, as this was an area with mostly tall deciduous trees, with some spruce and pine, and the birds were well concealed and higher up. We came away having seen a Blue-headed Vireo, heard several Black-throated Green Warblers, and many White-throated Sparrows, whose song became a common background sound this week, like Song Sparrow is around the Capital District area.

The former site of the Sabattis Railroad Station at the end of Sabattis Rd. was the parking area for our next stop, the railroad tracks leading northeastward from there; do not go the other way, as the surrounding area is private land, as is the road leading into the Hiawatha Scout Camp. There is a bog about a quarter-mile up the tracks (picture), and the habitat becomes boreal. This is a terrific avenue to view birds, as there is lower growth along much of the way, with the forest edge back aways, providing plenty of opening for perching birds. Chestnut-sided Warbler was common here, and we heard Black-throated Green again; the best sighting was a first for me, a Nashville Warbler, seen singing in the midstory of the trees. Other birds seen and heard were Gray Catbird, Northern Flicker, Wood Thrush, Cedar Waxwing and quite a few White-throated Sparrows. On the way out, a flock of six Purple Finches chattered their way across the road; this is the first time I've seen them where they looked like they were "dipped in raspberry juice."

Our final stop was a bog on the north side of Sabattis Circle Rd.; it was approaching noontime and activity had quieted down some, but I still managed two new birds: Common Raven and a Golden-crowned Kinglet, along with Red-breated Nuthatch and a singing Magnolia Warbler. To top off quite a fine morning deep in the woods, on the road back we came across two Ruffed Grouse, another bird I've never encountered before. They seemed quite approachable, as they stayed in the weeds along the roadside even as our vehicle passed and stopped. A great way to end our first full day of northern birding, with the best yet to come.

Black Creek Marsh Fourth of July 2009

We paid a visit to Black Creek Marsh on Saturday, from 7:30 until almost noon. Cool and breezy at first, but it warmed up nicely as the morning progressed. We went east from Hennessy Rd. first, then went west almost all the way to Meadowdale Rd. and back. The water levels are quite high after all the recent rain. Highlights were:

East of Hennessy Rd.-

Two different quick looks at Least Bittern flying low over the cattails. Orange body, with orange wings outlined with black. Several "songs" were heard as well, something like a low "koo-koo-koo-koo."

Two, and possibly three, Virginia Rails walking in amongst the base of cattail clumps. One very good, long look at one. Orange bill, grayish head, dark brown and black streaked body, with almost no tail. Seemed to respond to my pathetic attempts to call it, as we were only fifteen feet away. One of the coolest birds I have seen this year!

West of Hennessy Rd.-

We saw more Green Herons (at least seven) here today, than I had seen all year combined. A couple flew up to nearby trees and stayed put until we were relatively close. Best views ever of this species; I did not realize they have yellow eyes, and a very thin, creamy white "necktie" down the breast.

Blue-gray gnatcatchers flitting about, some with food in their bills.


Mammal of the day: tri-colored house cat strolling down Hennessy Rd. and into the marsh, off to do his version of "birding."

Reptile of the day: three Northern Water Snakes slithering alongside, and on, the railroad tracks.


Location: Black Creek Marsh
Observation date: 7/4/09
Number of species: 39

Wood Duck 3
Least Bittern 2
Great Blue Heron 2
Green Heron 7
Turkey Vulture 1
Virginia Rail 2
Mourning Dove 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Willow Flycatcher 3
Eastern Phoebe 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 3
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 4
Tree Swallow 10
Barn Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
House Wren 5
Marsh Wren 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Veery 1
American Robin 12
Gray Catbird 6
Cedar Waxwing 5
Yellow Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 4
Song Sparrow 3
Swamp Sparrow 8
Northern Cardinal 1
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 2
American Goldfinch 6

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/ny)

Five Rivers 7/3/09 afternoon

Colleen and I spent several hours at Five Rivers EEC on Friday afternoon. There were showers and thunderstorms nearby, but we stayed dry. We observed 37 species, with the highlights being:

Prarie Warbler seen singing from the top of a pine.

Louisiana Waterthrush (immature?) flew out from a stream undercut, under a small bridge next to the Vlomankill, and landed on a branch nearby. It had a white eyestripe, and was bobbing it’s tail up and down; it had very little striping on the underside, but had a puffed out appearance to it.

House Wrens were quite vocal today. Yellow Warblers were hardly noted; their singing has all but stopped.

Numerous Cedar Waxwings were performing insect-catching aerobatics over the Beaver Pond; they pushed the swallows right away from the whole area.

Mammal of the day: Momma raccoon with two youngsters climbing into their tree hole about five feet off the ground.

Reptile of the day: Eastern Painted Turtle sunning on a platform ten feet away without a care in the world.

Location: Five Rivers
Observation date: 7/3/09
Number of species: 37

Canada Goose 20
Mallard 6
Turkey Vulture 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Mourning Dove 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Eastern Kingbird 2
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 4
Tree Swallow 3
Barn Swallow 6
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
House Wren 3
American Robin 6
Gray Catbird 2
Cedar Waxwing 16
Yellow Warbler 1
Prairie Warbler 1
Ovenbird 2
Louisiana Waterthrush 1
Common Yellowthroat 3
Field Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 6
Red-winged Blackbird 8
Common Grackle 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Baltimore Oriole 2
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 6

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/ny)

Return to Dyken Pond 6/28/09

Decent weather, with sun early then a brief shower by noon.

39 species observed, highlights included:

Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture flyovers near the pond.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo in the woods behind Dustin Swamp.

YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER seen singing at Dustin Swamp. White-throated Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco there also.

Got buzzed by Ruby-throated Hummingbird several times down by the boat launch. Ovenbird feeding a fledgling there as well.

BLUE-HEADED VIREO and BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER seen on the Water Trail.

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER seen singing high atop a pine from the parking area.

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER seen on the boat launch access road- this may be the best quarter-mile stretch to bird at Dyken Pond.

Both Nuthatches, and six for six on the woodpeckers; Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were numerous today. Hermit Thrush was common as well, along with Ovenbird.

Brilliant red Scarlet Tanager on the road out.

But, from the "what was that about?" dept., on the way out, close to the entrance, at least 150 Common Grackles flew across the road in a great swarm; it took at least ninety seconds for them to all pass from right to left. I may be underestimating the number by half, as I didn't try to count them at first. Drive slowly on the road in to the parking lot, there are big potholes, rivulets, and washouts from all the recent rains.


Location: Dyken Pond Environmental Ed Center
Observation date: 6/28/09
Number of species: 39

Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 5
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Tree Swallow 3
Black-capped Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Hermit Thrush 3
American Robin 8
Cedar Waxwing 6
Black-throated Blue Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 2
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Ovenbird 10
Common Yellowthroat 3
Scarlet Tanager 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 4
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Common Grackle 150
American Goldfinch 2

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org.ny/)

Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center, Thompson's Lake 6/27/09

Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club had a field trip to Thompson's Lake on Saturday. The habitat is elevated, dry open woodlands. Once again, the parking area (becoming a familiar theme) is a busy area. House Wrens frequent the area, an Eastern Phoebe has a nest on a nearby building, and Cedar Waxwings and Eastern Towhees foraged through the taller trees. A Blackburnian Warbler was heard and briefly observed in some spruce trees.

Over the grassier areas, tree swallows were the most common species, but no bluebirds were seen. Highlight was a female Bobolink hanging from the grass stems. Four species of Sparrow (Chipping, Field, Savannah and Song) were seen.

Location: Thompson's Lake Nature Center
Observation date: 6/27/09
Number of species: 41

Great Blue Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Broad-winged Hawk 2
Mourning Dove 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Eastern Kingbird 2
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 2
Tree Swallow 10
Barn Swallow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
House Wren 4
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin 2
Gray Catbird 4
Cedar Waxwing 6
Yellow Warbler 1
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Ovenbird 2
Common Yellowthroat 3
Scarlet Tanager 2
Eastern Towhee 4
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Bobolink 1
Red-winged Blackbird 3
Common Grackle 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Baltimore Oriole 1
American Goldfinch 3

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/ny)

Papscanee Island 6/20/09

Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club had a field trip to Papscanee Island Nature Preserve in western Rennselaer county on Saturday. There is a sod farm and small creek/marsh area on the road in at the southern entrance on Staats Island Rd. Dozens of Killdeer were foraging on the ground at the sod farm, and swallows, flycatchers, goldfinches and kingbirds were in and around the creek. Highlights here were a Savannah Sparrow perched on a wire, and a Spotted Sandpiper in a low, brushy field.

Once into the densely covered preserve, the dominant species was American Redstart; they were seemingly everywhere. Wood Thrush were common and could occasionally be viewed. The preserve borders the Hudson River on it's west side, and a Mute Swan was observed flying southbound low over the river. The highlight here, however, was a Double-crested Cormorant out in the water with a freshly caught eel! After several minutes of struggle the cormorant ate the eel whole.

This is a very "birdy" area with a wide variety of common species. Bring boots, as it can be very wet, and plenty of insect repellent as well. Also beware that Amtrak runs a high-speed rail line on the east side of the preserve; the trains are frequent and come up on you quickly.


Location: Papscanee Island Nature Preserve
Observation date: 6/20/09
Number of species: 46

Canada Goose 6
Mute Swan 1
Mallard 1
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Killdeer 20
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Mourning Dove 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Willow Flycatcher 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 2
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 1
American Crow 2
Fish Crow 1
Tree Swallow 15
Bank Swallow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
House Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Eastern Bluebird 2
Veery 2
Wood Thrush 3
American Robin 8
Gray Catbird 6
Cedar Waxwing 5
Yellow Warbler 4
American Redstart 15
Common Yellowthroat 3
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Baltimore Oriole 2
American Goldfinch 10

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/ny)

Dyken Pond 6/14/09

This was our first visit to this higher elevation wet woodlands. Located at about 1600 ft. elevation in central Rennselaer county, this Audubon IBA (Important Bird Area) offers a wide array of short and long trails through varied terrain and cover, including several boardwalks over open swamp areas. Maps are available at the kiosk in the main parking area.

The parking area was alive with birdsong when we arrived at 8:30. Blackburnian Warbler ("teetsa-teetsa-teetsa-teetsa", sounds like a dogs' squeaky toy) was seen singing in the spruce trees right next to us. Also, Black-throated Green Warbler ("zoooo-zee-zu-zu-zee") was seen just into the woods. Heard a third warbler that was familiar, but could not identify right off. The most abundant species, along with the omnipresent robin, was Ovenbird. I have been told, and have read, that you rarely see ovenbirds; you generally just hear the explosive song from the dense woodland floor. Come to Dyken Pond and you can watch them walking the ground fifteen feet from you, and flying around at eye-level, landing on limbs to check you out. Not secretive here.

The pond itself was quiet, other than Red-eyed Vireo and a Rose-breasted Grosbeak (and more Ovenbirds.) We explored five of the short, interconnecting trails, including the well-maintained boardwalk across Dustin Swamp. Interesting mix there, sapsuckers, flycatchers, swallows, waxwings, grackles, and two winter birds gone MIA, white-throated sparrow and dark-eyed junco (many.) The deep, thick woods had a Winter Wren sitting on a rock thirty feet away(what an amzingly long, complicated song), Veery and more juncos. Walking the main road back to the parking area, we had Ovenbird (again), and, right in succession, Canada Warbler and Blue-headed Vireo. At the lot we saw Turkey Vultures circling.

This is a location I will bird again soon, and I recommend it to others who have not visited yet. Forty-five minute drive from Northway exit 7.

Mammal of the day: Porcupine
Amphibian of the day: Red eft (salamander)

Location: Dyken Pond Environmental Ed Center
Observation date: 6/14/09
Number of species: 33

Turkey Vulture 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Willow Flycatcher 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 1
Tree Swallow 8
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
Winter Wren 1
Veery 1
American Robin 10
Cedar Waxwing 3
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Blackburnian Warbler 3
Cerulean Warbler 1
Ovenbird 10
Common Yellowthroat 2
Canada Warbler 1
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 6
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Common Grackle 4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/ny)